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THE 



Trucking Industry 



IN 



South Carolina 



Reprint of Extract from Annual 
Report for 1906 of E. J. Watson, 
Commissioner, to the General 
Assembly :-: :-: : . : : . : 



ISSUED BY 

State Department of Agriculture, Commerce 
and Immigration 

E. J. WATSON, Commissioner 
Columbia, S. C. 
1907 . 



Columbia, S. C. 
THE STATE CO., PRINTERS 

1907 














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THE TRUCKING INDUSTRY 



In the trucking industry, South Carolina's advance has been most 
marked. This State now possesses the "cabbage king" of America, 
and the largest producing pecan nut groves in this country. It also 
possesses the largest tea producing plantation in the whole United 
States, and the product of this plantation is becoming known in all 
the markets of the world. While tea is scarcely a truck crop, 1 
mention it under this head inasmuch as the industry is confined to 
South Carolina alone in the whole United States. 

I deem it my duty to give you some idea of the immense develop- 
ment of the trucking industry in South Carolina. It has been 
difficult, after the most careful investigation, to ascertain the exact 
acreage. The acreage of one man, for instance, was off at least 20 
per cent, in 1906, yet there was an increase in yield. lie averaged, 
however, 200 crates per acre, as against 126 crates the year previous. 
No attempt is here made to give estimates ; only actual figures are 
given. Truck growing for market in South Carolina began in the 
year 1868, when William C. Geraty, now the largest shipper of cab- 
bage plants in the whole world, and his partner, Frank W. Towles, 
of Martin's Point, Wadmalaw Island, began operations on a small 
scale. 

The present unparalleled development began about 1891, growing 
by leaps and bounds since 1900, until at this time the Charleston 
district alone has over 30,000 acres planted in truck, counting in 
replanted land. The Department is informed that this year there 
will be an increase of several hundred per cent, in the bean crop; 
of 25 per cent, in cabbage and Irish potatoes; of 25 per cent, to 30 
per cent, in strawberries ; asparagus will about hold its own, as will 
watermelons and canteloupes. Celery growing has been started, but 
is yet an experiment, despite good results, yet it promises well. 
There will be a marked improvement in the planting of lettuce, and 
an improvement in the quality. The quantity of tomatoes and 
other truck products will be about the same the coming year. 

All early truck did well, but the 38 inches of rainfall in June, July 
and August, which was unprecedented, caused practically a total 
failure of melons and other late crops. 







Irish Potatoes as Compared with Size of a Silver Dollar. 



Reliable reports show a great falling off in the North Carolina 
truck region, especially in strawberries. The region from Conway 
to Lake City is ten days earlier than Chadbourn, and this advantage 
is too great to overcome. There must be a great increase in the 
South Carolina strawberry belt when this becomes more generally 
known. The product of Conway and Lake City cannot be surpassed 
in America. In these regions the strawberry flourishes like a bay 
tree. 

Trucking conditions, especially market conditions, are being better 
understood, and with the aid of this Department, fewer mistakes 
will be made in the future. The point is fast being reached when 
truck growing is no more hazardous than any other branch of agri- 
culture when undertaken by intelligent men. As it is, truck is 
bringing millions of dollars into South Carolina annually, and the 
business is capable of indefinite expansion. Merely a beginning 
has been made up to this time. 

In this connection I deem it wise to incorporate in this report 
certain figures that have been collated as to this new agricultural 
industry, which is yet confined almost entirely to the coast region, 
and to direct particular attention to the accomplishment of the young 
men from Rhode Island, whose success and example has had a most 
stimulating effect upon natives following their example. 

VEGETABLES. 

Five-year Average, Charleston District. 

Irish Potatoes — 

No. of acres 8,000 

No. of bushels 1,100,000 

No. of barrels 400,000 

Approximate value $800,000 

Sweet Potatoes — 

No. of acres 1,200 

No. of bushels 3 2 .5°° 

Approximate value $12,000 

Cabbage — 

No. of acres 7,000 

No. of crates 1,050,000 

Approximate value $940,000 



Asparagus — 

No. of acres 9°° 

No. of bunches 540.ooo 

Approximate value $108,000 

Cucumbers — 

No. of acres 2 -5°° 

No. of baskets 500.000 

Approximate value $300,000 

Beans — 

No. of acres 2 -5°° 

No. of bushels 375-000 

Approximate value $187,000 

Greeu peas — 

No. of acres I '4°° 

No. of baskets /0,ooo 

Approximate value $70,000 

Other Vegetables — 

No. of acres 2 -5°° 

Approximate value $250,000 

Strawberries — 

No. of acres 4QO 

No. of quarts 1.500,000 

Approximate value $120,000 

All of the above figures are strictly net ; the market value is far 
in excess of this. 

The total acreage of the Charleston District is 30,000, and the 
value of product $6,000,000. 

As several crops a year are raised on the same plot of ground, 
these figures hardly convey a correct idea of value. 

TONNAGE. 

Tonnage of fruits and vegetables, according to report made to 
South Carolina Railroad Commission, vide report, page 63: 

S< mthern 88,606 

Atlantic Coast Line 57- 2 37 

Seaboard Air Line 55- 8 5 2 

Other lines I2 - Xl6 

Total tonnage 213,801 



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Experience of Whipple Bros., at Beaufort, S. C— These gentle- 
men, natives of Rhode Island, planted thirty-six acres at Beaufort in 
radishes; took off crop and planted again in radishes, realizing 
£lO,0O0 from two crops net this year. They planted the same ground 
n beets; took off a good crop and followed this with cucumbers, 
naking a good yield. After cucumbers, corn was planted, making 
>ver fifty bushels to acre. 

Five (5) crops on the same ground in same year, in rotation, were 
fathered. Herewith is presented a picture of their field, taken in 
he early spring. They knew but little of farming at the outset. 

-Mr. C. M. ( ribson's Experiment— From selected ground, five acres, 
ertilized according to his own formula, Mr. C. M. Gibson, on 
fonge's Island, had the following experience with cabbage: 

'ive acres yielded ^ crates 

Lach acre yielded 3l8 crates 

total worth ($367 an acre), $1,835 net. 

Cabbage Plants— The cabbage plant industry has grown to enor- 
ious proportions. Exact comparative figures are wanting. 
Some figures for 1905-1906: 

•hipped by F. W. Towles, Martin's Point 4,000,000 plants 

•hipped by W. C. Geraty, Yonge's Island 40.000,000 plants 

jhipped by Blitch & Co., Meggett 35-ooo,ooo plants 

.est of Charleston District 21,000,000 plants 



100,000,000 plants 

\ alue of above ( 100 cars) $150,000 

LARGEST IN THE WORLD. 

The following men are the largest in their respective lines in the 
orld : 

Norman H. Blitch, Meggett, S. C.-Largest grower of cabbage 
ants, 1,000 acres. Began a poor man, working for small wages in 
91. It costs $110,000 to cultivate his crop. His daily telegraph 
11, during shipping season, is $100. 
Wm. C. Geraty, Yonge's Island— Largest shipper of cabbage 

[ants. Ships 40,000,000, worth $35,000. Has booked 100 cars 

30,000,000 plants, for this year's delivery. Began poor 
John S. Horlbeck, Mount Pleasant, S. C.-Largest pecan grower. 

lain grove 600 acres; two smaller groves with 10,000 trees each 

mnual production ten tons. 







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ST. AUGUSTINE 

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32084 



